Looking to help with the system development of PC-BSD? The project is looking for talented and motivated individuals to help improve the operating system, assist with bug fixes, and support development in other ways.

Are you looking to become a PC-BSD committer? Developers who want to help improve the PC-BSD codebase are always welcome! If you would like to take part in core development and possibly earn a commit bit, a good place to get started is by signing up for the developers mailing list. Once you've signed up then feel free to browse the PC-BSD Roadmap or search for bugs that need fixing in our Redmine database. If you see something of interest you want to work on, or have a proposal for a project you want to get added, then feel free to let us know via the developers list and we'll be happy to help get you started.

QT, UI, C++, oh my!

Most of the PC-BSD specific GUI tools are developed in C++ using the QT Libraries, and other non-GUI development is done using standard shell (/bin/sh) scripts. There may be cases where other languages / libraries are needed, but those will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, so feel free to let us know your proposals on the developers mailing list.

One of the main features of PC-BSD is its unique PBI package management system. This system creates information containers around the standard FreeBSD package to provide all sorts of information that helps users find/use applications on FreeBSD. The project can always use help in creating new PBIs for PC-BSD users to install and enjoy.

Using the EasyPBI Graphical Utility

EasyPBI uses the PBIng system and provides an information wrapper around existing FreeBSD packages. This wrapper, known as a PBI module, contains the metadata which displays information about the PBI in AppCafe®, such as screenshots, similar applications, search terms, and plugins. With PBIng, you no longer have to build PBIs. Instead, you can modify the information contained in PBI modules in order to create a custom PBI repository which can be added to AppCafe®. Since PBI modules are comprised of ASCII text files, they can be easily edited using the graphical EasyPBI utility or manually with a text editor. Instructions for using this utility can be found in the EasyPBI section of the wiki.

Become a beta tester

Having as many people as possible test upcoming versions of PC-BSD on as many different hardware configurations as possible makes the experience of using PC-BSD better for everyone. If you have a few hours to spare and are willing to detail any problems you run across, see Becoming a Beta Tester in the handbook for more info on how to submit error reports.

Help increase the number of PBIs

Have a suggestion for a PBI that doesn't exist yet? Submit a PBI Request. Want to help ensure that new PBIs work flawlessly? Join the PBI-dev mailing list and try out new PBIs on your system to make sure everything works as advertised. Have a few hours to spare and want to try making a PBI? Check out Creating PBIs in the handbook.

Help with translations

Do you read a language other than English and want to make sure that a localized version of PC-BSD is available? Check out the PC-BSD Pootle translations page--it will show which localizations are available and the status of each. Learn more about how to become a translator if you would like to help out.

Display or contribute artwork

Want to let the world know you are using PC-BSD? Check out the Artwork which can be displayed on your website, blog, or other social media sites.

Volunteer!

Are you planning on attending an open source conference or putting together an InstallFest? Let us know and we'll help to spread the word and provide you with DVDs for the event.

Give a presentation

Put together a talk for a local user group or submit a proposal for an upcoming conference. If your presentation is accepted, let us know and we'll help to spread the word. If you have existing presentations online, send us the URL so we can let others know about your presentation.